As I struggled with grief these last few weeks, my body grew a bit. My first impulse after a bad eating binge has always been to make myself suffer for the consequences. Blah food, smaller portions, leftover grunge seemed the right way to go. I should suffer for my wrong doing, right? Nehemiah chapter eight refutes that path.
Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. (Nehemiah 8:10, AMP)
So this is how we might translate this verse into our life today. Go out for lunch (Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink). Invite a friend to share that special time with us. (Send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared.) After all, this day, and every day is ‘holy to our Lord.’
Oh, one other thing. We must make the decision not to be ‘grieved and depressed.’ because the joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold.
Prayer- Lord, thank you for teaching us when we least expect it. Amen.
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